Chain Shot

[Yehoodi]

Hey gang,

I noticed that the patch has changed the ball shot from distance and its damage on the mast, so that is great idea. One needs to get in closer to take down a mast, so that change is very welcome.

I do have one question tho and thoughts i have been meaning to ask for a while.

It seems like chain shot is not worth using for the most part. If one stills needs to take out the mast with ball shot, why not just use ball all the time. This is kind of what I have done.

I started with chain shot but I do not notice much more of a sails reduction as with ball shot, which confused me. Then when i could only really get the mast down to 40% sails and then had to go to ball shot to take out the mast, it just seem to make chain shot kind of moot, which is dissapointing to be honest.

I understand one point about decreasing sails to be hit as there are being ripped, but at the same time one would think with ropes and sails and what not that the chains would reduce it to more than 40%. And afterall one can not sail with just mast poles, so I kind of found frustrating that chain shot could not be used to slow down a ship enough to board.

Perhaps with the reduced ball shot from distance on masts the chain shot will not see a reduction on sails from distance?

It would be nice to see chain shot come back into the fold. imo.

Anyone use chain shot?

[trotski00]

Chain damages the sails better than ball, if you notice when you hit the sails with ball, it registers as a hit on the sail, but it doesn't always drop the damage percentage of the sails so taking sails down to below 80% is quicker and easier with chain than with ball. I usually take 'em down to 75% if possible then switch to ball

[Yehoodi]

okay thanks for your help

[Bowser74]

I find that chain, if properly fired, will reduce sail more effectively than ball. The odd lucky ball shot may take down a mast, otherwise ball isn't an effective means of reducing sail percentage.

[cwsumner]

My understanding is that, historically, chain shot was also used to take down masts.

Even if the chain shot did not break the masts themselves (which is questionable), The chain shot is very good at cutting ropes, sheets, guys and stays. And without support the masts get very vulnerable, even the force of wind on the sails might be enough to break them. A few shots of chain shot might cut half of the standing rigging for a mast, resulting in a huge tangle.

I suggest that chain shot might have effects on mast strength, sail control, maximum sail that can be set and speed of changing the sails. ... For when there is time to do. 8-)

[Yehoodi]

Yes I do agree with all of your points and had thought that I would see more damage to the sails as the same % is a collective representation the items cwsumner was mentioning. For me all balls would do is punch holes in the canvas with not to much damage to the same and of coarse the change to weaken the mast with hits.

On the other hand, as cws said, and for me, for the same number of salvos i would think two smaller balls attached via a chain whipping over ship grabing robes, sails, etc would do more damage to the sailability of a ship as opposed to the same number punching a 1 foot hole in the canvas.

I just expected a larger drop in teh %s. Granted i have not done it much since i started, so maybe it might change as i have gotten better.

Other games that i have played, and not to say those are correct, i would notice a difference between chain and ball shot.

Thanks for all of your feedback mates.